Golden Goblet Awards Competing Film｜MOM, IS THAT YOU: 90th Work by 91-Year-Old Director

On the afternoon of June 16th, the Japanese film MOM, IS THAT YOU nominated in the Main Competition of the Golden Goblet Awards at this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival, had its world premiere and creators’ meeting. During the meeting, 91-year-old director Yoji Yamada attended and shared the story behind the making of this film. Notably, MOM, IS THAT YOU is Yoji Yamada’s 90th work.

Nostalgia and Warmth from a Director in His 90s

MOM, IS THAT YOU is an exploration and insight into the aging society and the relationships within ordinary Japanese families as Japan transitions from the Showa era to the Reiwa era. In the story, Akio Kanzaki (played by Yo Oizumi) is an HR manager who is exhausted from his demanding job and finds himself trapped in a crumbling marriage and a volatile father-daughter relationship at home. When he returns to his mother’s house, mentally and physically drained, he sees an unexpected scene: his mother, who should be wearing an apron, is dressed in vibrant and energetic attire. Not only that, she is also engaged in a sweet romantic relationship. Before he takes a surprise, Akio Kazuki realizes that his long-lost hometown seems to have lost its place for him. During his “shameless stay” at his mother’s house, the neighbors who used to give him a headache and his mother, who has changed from the past, gradually make him realize that some treasures he once possessed have been lost for a long time.

As for why he made such a film, director Yoji Yamada said that he wanted to focus the camera on these old districts in Japan. Unlike the new urban areas, here you find neatly arranged old houses on the street, with tall trees that look just as high as the sky at the end, and many ordinary people walking under the trees... He wanted to present these observations on the screen, using his film language to depict the lives of people in this ancient neighborhood that evokes the Edo period, the joys and sorrows of men and women, the young and the old who come and go here as if it were their hometown.

At the end of the film, splendid fireworks shooting into the sky send the audience’s emotions soaring. The film’s heartwarming message touched the audience at the event. An enthusiastic fan said in a post-screening interview, MOM, IS THAT YOU is a film that is definitely worth watching. It’s light-hearted, warm, and full of the authenticity of the Japanese life. It also resonated with me. Perhaps we all share similar problems in this era, and when faced with difficulties in life, we all go home to find our mothers, just like how ‘mom’ sounds the same in hundreds of languages around the world. I hope the film will be released in China, and I will definitely invite my mom to watch it.”

Memories and Aspirations of a Director in His 90s

Director Yoji Yamada is an old friend of the SIFF. As early as 1999, he won Best Director at the Golden Goblet Awards with his film GAKKO III. In 2007, LOVE AND HONOR, starring Takuya Kimura, was also nominated in the Main Competition of the Golden Goblet Awards that year. In addition to the Main Competition category, many of his works have been screened at the SIFF.

Talking about his film once again being nominated in the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition, director Yoji Yamada expressed deep emotions: “I know that the SIFF has been going on for 25 years. I have been here a few times before and felt a strong sense of familiarity. I had a meal with Director Xie Jin when I first came, but he is no longer with us. This time, I’m honored to have my new film here. Nevertheless, I feel that I am getting old and not as smart as before, so I hope everyone can watch this film with an understanding mindset.” Director Yoji Yamada also recalled his experiences at the SIFF years ago, and he was amazed by the grand and enthusiastic atmosphere. After more than twenty years, he feels that the SIFF has become even more magnificent.

When asked about his view on the romantic outlook of the young granddaughter in the film, director Yoji Yamada said that the character was not an exceptionally outstanding girl but somewhat disappointing to her parents. However, she doesn’t care about social status, education, or career. Through this young character who is not worried about how society views her, he hopes to convey a set of values characterized by lightheartedness. He also mentioned that he will continue this pleasant mood in his future works, hoping to uplift everyone’s spirits with happy stories.